Feilding Star. Oroua and Kiwitea Counties' Gazette. FRIDAY, 1915. MORE FROM THE FRENCH POINT OF VIEW.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2601, 9 April 1915, Page 2

Feilding Star. Oroua and Kiwitea Counties' Gazette. FRIDAY, 1915. MORE FROM THE FRENCH POINT OF VIEW.

In our editorial articles yesterday we presented the candid caso for the French as reviewed by its War Office, covering the first phase of the Avar. The review goes on: "The first condition to be followed (after the victory of the Marno) was to retiro in good order and to hinder and enfeeble >be enemy by counter-attack-ing. Many of these counter-attacks, brilliantly conducted, caused.our adversaries appreciable losses, such as those of Lanrezac's army at St, Qucn-tin-and Guise (ou August 29), those of Langle's army on the-Mouse (on the 27th aud 28th), and those of Ituffey's army farther to tho east, and properly sustained from Nancy to the Yosges by the armies of Castlenau and Dubail, whose unbending strength was destined to make possible our offensive." In order to get ready for this offensive the French had formed on their left (on August 26) 0 new army, under General Mauneiir.v, which was to concentrate ou the following days around Amiens; but the progress of the enemy, by stages of 45 kilometres a day, was so rapid that, in order lo carry out his plan for tho offensive, General Joffre had to order a continuation of the retreat, "and we retired to the Aube, and, if necessary, wore to go to Hie Seine, where everything was to be subordinated lo preparing for the success of an offensive movement,-'-' On September 5 the conditions -which the General-in-Chief was awaiting were fulfilled; for the left wing, composed of the English army and the armies of Mauneury and Laiirozac, had not lingered in fear of being cut off, while, 011 the contrary, tho German light, wing, under General yon Ivluek, in its forward march towards Meaux and Coulomiers, exjx'&ed its right flank to the forces under Mauneury. On the evening of the sth the General-in-Chief gave an order for a general offensive, adding the memorable phrase; 'The hour has come to advance at whatever cost, and to die rather than to retreat."